Importance of Friends...

A quote one of my closest friends shared with me inspired me to share this insight.
"A friend is one to whom one my pour out the contents of one's heart, chaff and grain together, knowing that the gentlest of hands will take and sift it, keep whats worth keeping and with a breath of kindness blow the rest away" (Arabian Proverb).
In my life I have gone through many friendships, some that last and others that haven't.  I have come to see that God grants us these friendships to teach us something; to help us learn and grow into what He sees in us.  Sometimes these lessons are not given to us easily.  They may come with pain, heartbreak, or loss. 
One example from my life happened many years ago.  I had an amazing group of friends, all of whom I shared many of the same beliefs and same lifestyles.  We were a very close group of friends for a while, then because I befriended someone outside the group they began to degrade and "pick" on me.  At first, like many my age would have done, I resented them and what they represented.  But after a period of time I learned how to forgive.  An attribute that we all need, and one that God wants greatly of us.  In no way am I perfect in it but I am working at that still.  This event sparked in me a desire to forgive that might never have fallen upon me or have happened much later on in life.  Now me and that group are still friends, even though I might not see or hear from them much, there is still a mutual respect for each other.
Other lessons I have learned were from much easier to get.  These are lessons that were taught plainly and simply through the love of true friends.  Many of these things lessons I hold close and dear because they were taught to me this way by those I care for.  I will always be grateful for these lessons and especially for the people who helped me learn them.  In conclusion let me leave you with a formula from God for being a good friend and also what to look for in a friend.  1st- Follow the example set by our Savior Jesus Christ and his interactions with others.  2nd- Keep the ten commandments.  They teach us the way to interact with God and with man.  I know as we follow that formula we will be that amazing friend to always remember, and we can find reason for all our friends.